Killing in capital raises concerns over security By Sinha Ratnatunga

Colombo: An informant of the Sri Lanka military and a close associate of Tamil guerrilla renegade regional military wing leader was shot dead in the heart of the capital raising further security concerns.

The informant popularly known as 'Plote Mohan' was shot dead by a suspected LTTE pistol gang close to a usually busy clothing shop in Bambalapitiya which was closed in view of a public holiday.

The victim, whose real name is Kandiah Yogarasa, was known to have been working with the Army in the eastern Ampara district after working closely with the military for over 14 years, but also closely associated with Karuna.

Military spokesman Colonel Sumedha Perera denied the charge. "This man had nothing to do with us," he said. He was later reported to have come to Colombo and was living in the Nugegoda area.

The killing took place after the victim came down the staircase of the House of Fashion clothing shop as he found it closed and was about to get into a vehicle, police said.

Plote Mohan was shot five times in his shoulder and neck and he died on the spot, police said.

The driver of the three-wheeler in which Plote Mohan travelled said he had come shopping to the House of Fashion.

During the split between the LTTE's Wanni faction and Karuna, Plote Mohan is reported to have visited Karuna at the rebel leader's Thoppigala base.

Information given by Plote Mohan is known to have helped the army to carry out a series of successful operations against the LTTE and he was a hunted figure.

He was also a close associate of Major Nilam who was in charge of the safe-house at Athurugiriya.

The Colombo killing came a day after a person identified as an associate of Karuna was shot dead in the Welikanda area.

Police said the dead man was identified as Sivanayakam Pushpakumar, 20, of Muththukkal, an ancient Tamil village in the district of Polannaruwa.

A placard found on the body of Pushmakumar accused him of being a traitor. Over the past three weeks more than 25 persons have been killed in the intense rivalry between the LTTE and the Karuna's faction.

The Tigers, who have been fighting for a separate Tamil state, accuse the government and military of helping Karuna's faction to try to weaken them.